Veterans Remove 15 Tattered Flags Flying In Front Of City Cafe

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) - Veterans' Day, and celebrations honoring our nation's heroes are happening across the Tennessee Valley. Which is why one veteran says it was particularly distressing when he drove by a Huntsville restaurant and saw several tattered flags flying out front.

Fourteen American flags lining the front of City Cafe were frayed and torn, along with the main flag flying on the flagpole near the entrance.

The flags caught the eye of a passerby who immediately addressed management about the issue, and took it upon himself to remove the 14 flags.

"One of my brothers in the bike community came over here and took them down and brought them to the manager," said U.S. Navy Veteran Harold Stogsdill, who was alerted about the flags.

When Stogsdill got the call, he at first could not believe someone would allow so many flags to fall into such disrepair

"We just want proper respect for our flags and if they're worn torn and tattered they need to be replaced," said Stogsdill.

City Cafe managers say they hire a company to replace the flags, but Stogsdill and his friends told them they weren't going to wait.

So as the sun started to set.together, Stogsdill, his friends, and City Cafe staff, retired the remaining frayed flag flying above the restaurant.

"We know you have to have respect for the flag so taking them down and having them replaced is exactly what needs to be done," assured an assistant manager.

After the flag folding ceremony was complete, with renewed respect for the flag and each other, they raised a flag they can now proudly fly this veterans day weekend.

Cafe managers say they intend to replace the 14 flags that lined the street in front of the restaurant. The last time they were replaced was in July.